Invalid garment



M. M. TURNHAM INVALID GARMENT Oct. 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1951 m T m M MYRTLE A/l. 7i/R/v/1AM M. M. TURNHAM INVALID GARMENT Oct. 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1951 INVENTOR. MYRTLE/14. fil/PNHAM BY 7 ATTORNEYS Patented Qct. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in invalid garments, and more particularly to such garments designed for use for semi-ambulatory or bedridden patients who experience difliculty with the control of their bodily excretory functions.

The hospitalization and treatment of patients require oftentimes the use of invalid garments or bed protectors in conjunction with the treatment of senile, paralyzed, or very ill patients Who have, for one reason or another, lost control over their bodily excretory functions and have become involuntary or incontinent. Involuntary excretion or incontinence has long provided a problem in the care and treatment of patients, and there has been a great need for a garment which may be used for the control thereof which is facile and sanitary, being easily removable for changing or cleaning and not painful to apply to the patient.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary protector for the use of invalid patients which may be adjusted to the body with a minimum of discomfort.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sanitary garment for invalid patients having means for holding a disposable liner therein which may be easily and readily removed for cleaning or changing thereof.

It i a further object of this invention to provide a sanitary invalid garment which may be frequently and readily changed with a minimum of pain and discomfort to the patient.

A further object of this invention is to provide a waterproof acid resistant garment having nonabsorbent characteristics which may be tightly yet comfortably positioned around an invalid patient for the absolute containment of excretory wastes therein, having a removably sanitary liner therein, and breathing means whereby air is not cut off from the portion of the body enclosed by the garment.

Further objects of this invention reside in the novel construction of the garment and the means for holding the sanitary liner therein.

Other and further objects of the present invention are those apparent and inherent in the article as claimed, described and drawn.

The invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the instant invention showing one leg of the garment in closed or wearing position and the other leg of the garment in open position;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the garment showing the same in flat or unfolded position before it is positioned upon the wearer, and showing the absorbent liner in dotted lines;

Figure l is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a modified form of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to that of I Figure 2, but showing the modified form of the present invention as illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a second modifled form of the present invention; and

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken along the lines '|''l of Figure 6.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly to Figure 3, the garment generally designated m, is shown comprising two sections: a rear section II and a front section l2. These two sections combine and form the complete garment as may be best seen with reference to Figure 1. The rear section I is provided with a waist band l3 having snap elements l4, l5 and I6, and ll, l8 and I9 thereon. These snap elements cooperate with snap elements 26 and 2| on the front section of the garment to form a completed snap as shown at 22 in Figure 1. The waist band I3 is folded back upon itself at the ends 23 and 24 thereof for a short distance. Thus, end 23 is maintained in folded position by the penetration of snap element is, and end 24 is maintained in folded position by the penetration of snap element l9. In addition ends 23' and 24 may be maintained in this folded position by sealing or other means, as desired.

Rear section II is provided with leg hems or bands 26 and 21. The length of bands 26 and 27 is such that when attached to bands 55 and 56, as shown for 55 in Figure 1, bands 26 and Zl will be caused to bulge slightly outward and provide a space as shown in Figure 1 for the admission of air to the patients body within the confined section. This provides air circulation or breathing to this section of the patients body with all of its attendant comfort. Secured to leg band 26 are strap elements 28 and 29, and secured to leg hem 21 are strap elements 36 and BI. These elements are attached at the inner end thereof to their respective leg hems, as is shown at 32 for strap element 29, and may be sewed, sealed, adhesively secured, or otherwise fastened to the leg hem. Strap elements 28 and 29 of rear section H cooperate with strap elements 33 and of front section i2, and strap elements 39 and BI of rear section H cooperate with strap elements as and 31 of front section I2 to form ties or bows, as illustrated at 38 and 39 in Figure 1.

The rear section I! is formed from a single sheet of material and has the configuration best shown in Figure 3, having a somewhat trapezoidal body section and integral crotch sections t8 and ii which depend therefrom. The rear section i i is also provided with a bottom hem 42 and a sec- 0nd bottom hem 43. Bottom hem 42 extends continuously along the bottom of rear section i l over seam 36 and then continuously along the top of front section !2. Hem 43 extends similarly. Hem 42 is provided with snap elements 4t, 45 and ll. Hem it is provided with snap elements lti, t9 and 58. Elements 24, it and t' l cooperate with snap element 55, fastened on hem 42 on front section I2 to form a snap, as illustrated at 52 in Figure 1. Likewise, snap elements at, E9 andfiflcooperate-With snapv element 53 on front section [2 to form a complete snap similar to that shown at 52.

Rear section II is seamed to front section I2, as indicated by seam 33. Front sectiun .12 "is provided with waist hem 54 and leg hems or bands 55 and 56, similar to those described with-reference to rear section II, but:qf slightly shorter length. Section i2 is also made from one flat piece and, as shown in Figure 3, has a-configuration somewhat like the'eross section of a basket with upending portions alongseam .130 to :form crotch portions (it and A]- A was mentioned previously, section ,H is joined to section l2-;alongeseam;30. Retaining sections .5? and 58, .shown'in Figure 3, are joined at the outer edges 596i and rfiZ-G thereof to front and rear sections 12 and H. Thus,r these two retaining sections are similar ,in form but reversed'in position. "Sections 5517 and 5.3 face: inwardly and are sewed, sealed or -otherwise secured to sections 1H and 11:2 along ledges its-+61 and ta -til, respectively, :as shown in Figure 3.

This sealing extends inwardly but :a short .dis- :tance and hence there are formed opposedzpocket openings at 3? and =61 in 'rearsection "H, and

68 and :68 in front section l2, which openings extend continuously from :front to rear and through the crotch, as best shown in Figure '3. These :pockets thus serve vto accommodate the opposed edge portions of an absorbent inner disposableliner ba'shown in'dotted lines in Figur and full lines in Figure :2. The .liner extends therein to approximately the position shown :by

the dotted line 13 at the sides :of the garment, and extending downwardly :from the .crotch of the garment to substantially the bottoms .of the tubular leg portions of the garment adjacent to the crotch, as indicateda-t'X and Yin Figure "1.

The retaining members 5'! and 58 are shown joined together by a strap '11 a narrow flat strap member ii which serves .to aid in retainingliner nil in proper position in the :crotch of the gar- -ment. it may be noted that-strap J1 is secured to crotch portions ii and A0 at lz and '73, on the :interior surface thereof.

It maybe seen thatwhenever consistent with sanitary construction, that all seams have been eliminated orcovered and thatthus a very com- =fortable garment is formed for the patient. 'The position of the ties shown at "38 and '39 for the legs and the triple snap elements on section II cooperating with a single snap element on section 12, form ready adjustments forthe waist, as

"indicated by snap '22, and for the legs, as indicated by snap 52.

The garment is commonly made of what is known in the trade as plastic. Thus, forexample, plastic materials such as nylon are readily desirable for this sort of garment. It is to be understood that other types of plastic may be :usedwithout departing from the spiritand scope of this invention. The plastic is allelectronically welded at seams, edges and bindings. No rough edges are allowed to protrude anywhere or to cause irritation to the skin. Thus, all seams or hems such as hems 13,26, 21 and the like are of one piece, and are folded over the edges of the garment so as to seal the same. No elastic is provided in the garment to cut the circulation. 'This is an important feature when the patient is continually confined to bed and bodily'functions are impaired. It may be noted that all the adjustments, "for example, those on the Waist line and the leg bands are provided for in the pre- -ferred;form by the usezofzsnaps andthatzno safety pins or othersharp objects 'are used-in either the garment or the sanitary liner.

5 The pocket formed on the inside of the garment Thy retaining members 51 and EB is positioned so as to adequately cover the legs and the excretory organs whetherthe garment be applied to a man or .a woman. Thus, the portion of the pocket 19 upon the rear section H of the garment is high, considerably wider, and the portion of the pocket on the front section of the garment i2, high, but somewhat narrower. The pockets .are .all sealed to the garment so that they cannotleak.

The sanitary inner liner is composed .of .dis- .posable cellulose cotton or other absorbent material, and is prevented from slipping .aroundby the retaining members 51 and58 .andistrap Lil. .Itmay be noted .inconnecti-on with the ,pocket 29 on the front sectionof the garment I2 that it .ex-

tends substantially upwardly .on thegroin as .to

make this equally utilitarian protection. for men .as 'wellas for women. When open, asshownin E?ig.vre ,1, the garment .is .flat, or substantiallyso, when placed upon .a bed beside the patient. .A

padis put inthe sanitary-liner as .shownflby the dotted lines in Figure 3, and the, patient .is then .rolled onto the garment. Eront section 12 is brought up between the legsiand fastened. on the 30 sides of the front, as shown with reference .to'Figure .1, by snap 22 and .by tapes .38 and 3s and snap T12.

'Whenthe garment is closed the fitted crotch sections AI and 42, makeit similar to apair ofpants. n,- This provision of the fitted crotch also .helps to .hOld the sanitary lliner up wher it is desiredand gives width across the legs so that there will be nolleaking therefrom. .It may be notedthat since thegarment is made of plastic andis waterproof, A it is also air-proof, and the ties at.38 and 39 are provided so as to allow .a slight gap between :the leg seams when the garmentiis in position for the wearers body so as to .let sufiicient airtinside. The provisionoffastening the garment on the legs and at the front thereof'makes iteasierfor the nurses or nurses aides to adjust the garment and also imakes it extremely more comfortable for the patient for he unay'lie on his back or sides and will not encounterthe-snaps or ties.

Referring now to Figure 14;, a modified form of this garment isshown wherein snap elements are-used to closethe leg sections together instead of the tie elements shown in Figure 3. Thus, each one of the snap elements inrFigure 4, corre- Sponding to a-tie element in Figure 3, isgiven a number similar to that of the tie element of Figure 3, but with an a, added thereto. Thus, snap element 290. of Figure 4 corresponds to tie element or strap 29 of Figure 3. The garment 0 of Figure 4-.is substantially similar to that shown in Figures 1-3 butis composed-of a looselywoven fabric or mesh-like material *l i throughout'the major-portion thereof, as indicated by the meshlike cross sectioning on thatfigure. -An-y loosely woven fabric of cotton, rayon, nylon-etc. may

be used but it has been found that it is advantageous to make the fabric of quick-drying thread such as nylon thread. The hems in this instance are of the same material, although it is to be understood that they may be made of a different type material without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, and are sewed to the main body sections II and I2 by stitching which is indicated by the dotted stitch- "line i-Eon'Figure 4. Each one of these-snap elements is provided with a protecting square of heavier material as shown at 16 for snap 29a. Snap element 29a is fastened to this strip of heavier or protecting material 16 and then strip 16 is sewed to hem 26, as indicated by stitch line H. The protecting material for the snaps is the same in each instance and the construction is also the same. With reference to the snap elements provided on'the waist band I3 and the leg bands 652 and :3 of section II, the snap elements are fastened upon a single strip of protective material or tape as shown at it and it. Thus, as a matter of actual construction, the snap elements for use in this type of garment are usually formed on a continuous tape and sections cut out as needed. In the type of construction shown in Figure 4, the material it is sewed and seamed together at 88 for section I! and 8! for section l2. The material M extends throughout H and it only to the juncture along seams 828 iin section I2, and 85-min section II.

The retaining element in Figure 4, generally designated 88, comprises rear section 93 which is superimposed on a supporting fabric constituting the body of the garment, by seams 85iii and front section 94 also superimposed on a supporting fabric constituting the body of the garment, in material i i and bounded by seams 828f. The two sections are joined together at 9! and 92 to form a continuous sanitary liner containing member. A cover or containin member 95 is provided for section 93 and a cover or retaining member 95 is provided for section 9t. These two cover sections are attached together at ti and a2 and are of the configuration shown in Figure 4, whereupon a circular aperture 95 is provided in section 96, and a somewhat oval aperture 85 is provided in section 95. It may be noted that the two apertures join at the edges thereof to provide a continuous aperture of the configuration shown, whereby a sanitary liner may be inserted and retained against sections 93 and 9 by the action of covers 9i; and 95. Thus, there is provided a water and acid resistant pouch composed of two plies along the side edges thereof and having an aperture in the center. This pouch is composed of the same acid and water resistant materials mentioned before in conjunction with the form shown in Figures 1-3.

This form of my invention is adapted to be used in substantially the same manner as described with reference to the form of Figures 1-3.

A second modified form of the present invention is shown in Figure 6. This form of the invention is designed specifically for use with very still or weak patients.

The garment 99 in this case comprises a flat bottom sheet 93 of water and acid resistant characteristics, and a cover sheet Hi8 sealed thereto along the edges thereof and at corners ic ilil'i, and provided with an aperture Hi9 therein. Disposed within the aperture in Figure 6 is shown a sanitary liner MB of which a cross section is shown in Figure 7. Thus, it may be seen that this modification provides substantially a rectangular base resistant section 93 of material with a cover section EH3 having a central aperture ace therein sealed thereto along the edges Hii i i. and corners iclcl thereof, cross member tapes or herns ill and H2 sealed along two sides thereof and extending the length of the rectangular section, and parallel tapes H3 and H along the remaining sides thereof having end extensions Hiiliil3 which may be tied around the body of the wearer or around protruding sections on a hospital bed for the anchoring of said garment.

As many differing embodiments of this invention may be had without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific embodiment described herein.

I claim as my invention:

1. An excretion resistant and retaining garment for invalids adapted to be applied to the body by folding and securing therearound comprising in combination two body sections, a rear body section at least a portion of which is made of material resistant to human excretions and a front body section at least a portion of which is made of such resistant material, said rear body section when laid out in open position comprising a flat member bordered at the top thereof by a substantially horizontal waist band with fastening elements attached at the ends thereof, thigh band members extending downwardly and outwardly from said horizontal waist band and bordering the sides of said rear body section, downwardly depending portions disposed on either side of a center crotch section, leg closure bands extending along the bottom edge of said rear section and along said downwardly depending portions and along the bottom edge of said front section, said front section comprising a fiat member when laid out in open position comprising a center crotch section secured to the center crotch section of said rear section, upwardly extending portions similar to said downwardly depending portions adjacent said center crotch section on said rear section and secured to said downwardly depending portions, downwardly and inwardly disposed thigh band members extending along the side edges of said front body section adapted for cooperation with the thigh band members on said rear section, and a horizontal front waist band member adapted for cooperation with the waist band member on said rear section, means disposed on said front waist band member cooperable with means disposed on said rear section whereby said waist bands may be connected together at a point between the thigh and the groin of the wearer, means disposed on the thigh band sections of the rear sections and the thigh band sections of the front section, whereby said front and said rear thigh band portions may be connected at a point between the hip and the groin of the wearer, means disposed on the leg closure band sections of the front section and the leg closure band sections of the rear section whereby a leg closure may be formed with the juncture of the closure at a point between thethigh and the groin of the wearer, all of said closure means being adapted to provide a flap closure extending from waist band to leg closure band. over each leg at a point between the hip and the groin of the wearer, said closure being adapted for the opening thereof whereby said front section may be folded upwardly or downwardly for application to or removal from the body of said invalid, a retaining pouch comprising retaining elements secured upon said front and rear sections, said retaining elements each comprising an excretory resistant member sealed along the outer edge thereof and disposed vertically on said rear section and extending along the edge of said depending and upending portions downwardly on to said front member, said retaining elements forming a pouch for the insertion of a disposable sanitary liner, said retaining elements connected at the access? .7 inner edges thereof by a .fiat strap, said straplocated over the juncture of the crotch element of the :front section .and the crotch element of the .rear section.

,2. An excretion resistant and retaining garment for invalids .adapted to be applied to the body by folding and securing therearound comprising in combination two body sections, a rear body section at least .a-portion of Whichis made :of material resistant to human ,excretions and a front body section .at least a portion .of which is made of such resistant material, said rear :body section when laid out in open position comprising aflat member bordered at the top thereof :by a substantially horizontal waist band with .fastening elements attached at the ends thereof, thigh band members extending downwardly and outwardly from said horizontal Waist band and bordering the .sides of said rear body section, downwardly depending portions disposed on either side-of a center crotch section, leg-closure bands extending along the bottom edge .of said rear section and along said downwardly depending portions and along the bottom edge of said front section, said front section comprising a flat member when laid out in open position comprising a center crotch section secured to the center crotch section of said rear section, up-

wardlyextending portions similar to said downwardly-depending portions adjacent said center crotch section onsaid rear section and secured to said downwardly depending portions, downwardly and inwardly disposed thigh band members extending along the side edges of said front body section adapted for cooperation with the thigh band members on said rear section, and a horizontal front waist band member adapted for cooperation with the :waist band member on said rear'section, means disposed onsaid front waist band member cooperable with means disposed on said rear section whereby said waist bands may be connected together at a point between the thigh and the groin of the wearer, means disposed ,on the thigh band sections of the-rear sections and the thigh band sections .of the front section, whereby said front and said rear thigh band portions maybe connected at a pointbetween thehip and the groin of the wearer, means disposed on the legclosure band sections of the :front section and the leg closure band sections of the rear section whereby a .leg closure may be formed with the juncture of the closure at .a point between the thigh and the groin of the wearer, all-of said closure means being ,adapted to provide a .ilap .closure extending from waist bandto legclosure band over each leg at apoint between the hip and the groin of the wearer, said closure being adapted for the opening thereof whereby said front section may be folded upwardly'or downwardly for-application to or .removal from the body of said invalid, a pouch for the insertion of a removable sanitaryliner therein, said pouch comprising a resistant section located on the rearsectionof said garment, havinga covering member with an aperture disposed therein, a front resistant section disposed on the front section of said garment having a covering member having an aperture therein, the aperture in said front covering member and the aperture in said rear covering member being joined at the edges thereof so as to form a continuous aperture which will substantially cover the excretory organs of an invalid.

3. An invalids garment having front and'rear portions each having a waist edge, said waist edges being adjustably cooperable for the forming of 1a waist-encircling membensaid front and rear portions each having a crotch edge and being joined together thereby, said front and rear portions also having downwardly extending side edges and means for connecting the side edges .of said rear portion to the corresponding side edges of said front portion to form tubular leg portions, at least a part of each of said front and rear garment portions being resistant tobody excretions, vertically disposed retaining elements secured to the inner surfaces of said front and rear garment portions along their outer and top edges and extending across the juncture of said crotch edges, saidretaining elements being resistant to body excretions and cooperating to form a pouch for receiving the opposed side portions of a disposablesanitary liner, said retaining elements being connected at their inner edges by .a flat strap, said strap being located over the juncture of thelcrotch edges of said front and rear garment portions.

,4. ,An invalids garment having front and-rear portions each having a waist edge, said waist edges being adjustably cooperable for the forming of a waists-encircling member, said front and rear portions each having a crotch edge and being joined together thereby, said front and rear portions also :having downwardly extending side edges and means for connecting the side edges of said rear portion to the corresponding edges of said front portion to form tubular leg portions, at least a part of each of said front and rear garment portions being resistant to body excretions, vertically disposed retaining elements secured to the inner surfaces'of said front and rear garment portions along their outer and-top edges and extending across the juncture of said crotch edges, said retaining elements being resistant to body excretions andcooperating to form opposed inwardly facing pocket members extending upwardly from the lower inner portions of said tubular leg portions to the uppermost ends of said retaining elements, said retaining members being adapted to .receive the opposed marginal side portions-.of adisposable sanitary liner or pad and cooperating to removably support said pad in position in the crotch of the garment with its side edge portions extending downwardly .into the bottoms of said pocket members at the lower inner sides of the tubular .leg portions of the garment, whereby said pad may completely cover the excretory organs of a patients body and prevent leakage from the garment at the inner sidesof the legs, when the garment is worn by an ambulatory patient and a laterally extending portion disposedabove and adjacent to the crotch .seam and connected to the edges of said pocket members.

,MYRTLE .M. TUBNHAM.

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